Sail Back In Time Aboard The Nina And Pinta Ships

Replica's of the Nina and Pinta will be on display in Wyandotte. (Credit: thenina.com)

WYANDOTTE (WWJ) – Hand-built replicas of two of Columbus’s ships are open for public tours this weekend in Wyandotte.

Considered two of the most historically correct replicas of the ships sailed by Christopher Columbus, the Nina and the Pinta have arrived in metro Detroit.

The Nina’s Captain Kyle Friauf says the ships are something to see.

“It really puts it into perspective, because you can look at all of the artist’s renderings you want in the picture books but you can’t appreciate the size of the ships – until you can actually come on board and stand here and imagine 27 of your… not entirely liked friends on board this ship not knowing if the voyage would ever end,” said Friauf. “Most of the sailors still believed that the world was flat.”

Friauf says that the original crew slept on the deck and the only accommodations below deck was for the captian and first mate … so Columbus got the bed.

Jim Stemen was one of a few dozen people on hand as the Nina and the Pinta arrived at Bishop Park Thursday.

“I saw that and I thought, ‘I wouldn’t want to go across the Atlantic in that,'” said Stemen.

The ships are docked at Bishop Park, 2701 Van Alstyne, Friday through Sunday -with tours running 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Sunday. Cost is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors and $6 for students 5-16. No reservations needed.